
In a bold step towards achieving the 25-Year Development Agenda for Ogbomoso, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, on Monday launched a transformative empowerment initiative aimed at equipping 240 indigenes with life-changing entrepreneurial skills and crafts.

The launch event which took place at the Jokodolu Foundation Office, along Old Ilorin Road in Ogbomoso was handled by Ogbomosoland Job Creation and Empowerment Commiitte
The program, made possible with the support of the Bank of Industry (BoI), is designed to empower participants with practical skills that will foster self-reliance, financial independence, and sustainable community development. The BoI also provided a financial grant to support the initiative.
The empowerment program covers a wide range of vocational and technical skills, including baking and pastries, event planning and decoration, information technology, household and industrial cleaning, soap production, as well as Adire and Aso Oke production—ensuring participants are well-equipped for various economic opportunities.
“This is more than training—it’s a seed of transformation,” Oba Olaoye said while addressing the participants. “This is not just training. It’s a golden opportunity. Learn with passion. Commit fully. Maximize this gift.”
The monarch emphasized that the empowerment initiative reflects the broader vision of progress for Ogbomoso and underlines the importance of lifting others as a pathway to community advancement.
“This is what community progress looks like,” the Soun declared. “We rise by lifting others.”
He also expressed gratitude to the Bank of Industry for its unwavering support and commitment to grassroots development.
The initiative marks one of the early implementations of the Soun’s ambitious 25-Year Development Agenda, which aims to transform Ogbomoso into a hub of enterprise, education, and innovation.